“…you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children.  Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up.  Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders.  Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” – Deuteronomy 6:6-9

This past week, the world learned of the passing of blues singer, writer and guitarist Riley B. (B.B.) King. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential blues guitarists of all time, inspiring countless other electric blues and blues rock guitarists. Upon hearing of his passing, I began to read up on B.B., his life and especially wanted to know how he was given the name B.B. He was given that name which is short for “Blues Boy” very early in his career. I even learned that he had nicknamed his Gibson guitar which he was known for playing, “Lucille”. Being a guitar player myself, I so appreciate his gift of music he shared with the world for well over 70 plus years as he purchased his first guitar at the age of twelve which up until then, he had sang in his church’s gospel choir. And although, he has passed from this life, his music, his legacy and even “Lucille” will be passed on most likely to one of his remaining family members or possibly even be auctioned off.

Even later on in the week, I will be attending a “Celebration of Life” service for one of my aunts who had just recently passed away last week. Her name was Pat and she was always known to see the glass half full so to speak as Pat or sometime known as “Patty Mae”, liked to enjoy life and have a good time no matter the circumstance or situation. She had the heart of a giant and was always willing to help others if she possibly could. Patty Mae could always make you laugh and there was never a dull moment when you were around her. She never knew the meaning of the word bashful, and if there was nothing much going on at the moment, Patty Mae would initiate something before long. I can remember on several occasions many years ago when our families would meet at a deer camp to of course hunt, eat and just have a good time. There would be many days when us kids would be at the deer camp hanging out with Pat when all of a sudden she would say, “ok, if ya’ll will stand in front of me, I’ll throw some money to you.” and sure enough, as soon as we would get into position, she would begin hurling coins our way. This is just who Patty Mae was for she always liked to have some sort of excitement or fun going on. She will be greatly missed this side of heaven by all who knew her.

Just as the legendary B.B. King and our dear Patty Mae have passed on into eternity, countless lives each second of each day will continue to do the same. Hebrews 9:27 reads “And just as each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment,..” God has given each of us one life to live and with this life comes many decisions and choices which will either take us closer to or further away from our divine purpose here on earth which ultimately carries us  over into eternity. My question dear friend is what are we choosing to leave behind if our heavenly Father decides to call us home before His second coming which could take place at any moment.

We show a love for this world in our lives by worshiping goods we posses on a daily basis. Now there is absolutely nothing wrong with having “stuff” if the “stuff” does not have us. I truly believe God does desire to bless His children…once again, “He desires to bless His children” as opposed to us “blessing ourselves” and then desiring Him to get behind our actions and wrong motives. I believe many of our problems we see as “tests, trials and storms”, we have actually created in our lives by our wrong actions or decisions. God said in Deuteronomy 30:19, “Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live!

Dear friend I hope that each day that follows we would with conviction choose to say No to the “things” of this world for by in doing so, we will be opening our hearts to the Lord and saying Yes to Him. Furthermore, you will find such freedom and joy  from the “things” that you will be leaving behind.

For His Kingdom,